Armenia faces a number of significant challenges to its momentum towards further democratization.  The growing marginalization of various social groups has led to a weakening of social cohesion. Despite official claims of economic growth, poverty has grown.  The country is experiencing increases in migration rates as its people seek economic opportunities elsewhere.   The country continues to suffer from relatively ineffective government practices in part because recent  institutional changes have yet to be reflected in generally practiced norms.  Large-scale corruption remains in almost all sectors and many citizens doubt that either the ruling political elite or the oppositional “out” elite favour the creation of a more democratic polity.